A virtual conference of the Marburger Arbeitskreis für europäische Burgenforschung e.V./Marburg Working Group for European Castle Research e.V. in collaboration with the Aarhus University, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies and its research programme "Materials, Culture and Heritage".
The virtual conference takes place on December 17, 2020 via a licence of the programme Zoom of Aarhus University, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies.
We are living in a very striking time right now. Entire countries, indeed the whole world is more or less in lockdown. In the meantime, there have been initial easing measures. While some welcome and enjoy the new/old life, others fear the next wave of infection. Throughout the whole year, our usual working tool of intellectual exchange, the conference, cannot be carried out – at least not in the traditional format. But we will not do entirely without and thus take the path, which nowadays is so popular: We will meet virtually.
Regarding the question of subject, we found: let us talk about the elephant in the room everybody is talking about anyhow: the pandemic. Covid 19 is a new epidemic, but pestilences are as old as humankind itself. Thus, the Black Death raged in Europe between 1346 and 1353 and caused 25 million deaths. It has recurred with many waves up to the 17th century and frightened people.
We now pose the question, which role castles and fortresses played in former centuries in the context of pandemics. Martin Luther wrote:
"My confidence and my castle, my God in whom I hope. For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence."
In Luther’s view, the castle in this song turns out to be the symbol of divine protection against the plague. But what kind of function did real castles have in the case of a pandemic, was it the same? Do signs exist for a changed usage of weir systems during rampant epidemics?
You are invited to this Zoom webinar.
When: Dec 17, 2020 12:30 PM Copenhagen
Topic: Castles and Fortresses in Times of Pestilence
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://aarhusuniversity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FDBVBcdjRuKFdBZaWBJv4w
Or an H.323/SIP room system:
H.323: 109.105.112.236 or 109.105.112.235
Meeting ID: 674 7544 3008
SIP: 67475443008@109.105.112.236 or 67475443008@109.105.112.235
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For further informations about the colloquium please contact:
Dieter Lehmann
info@dikoleh.de
or
Rainer Atzbach
rainer.atzbach@cas.au.dk